The Wyss Institute at Harvard University is seeking an innovative scientific leader with significant experience with microphysiological systems, organoids and immunology to lead a team that is developing clinically relevant in vitro models of human organs, including models of lymphoid organs and intestine to understand the effects of radiation and malnutrition and derisk vaccines. One important part of the long-term vision is to create personalized organ chips that will be used to accelerate development and validation of therapeutics and clinical biomarkers working with industrial partners. Reporting to the Senior Principal Scientist and Faculty Leader, you will manage, develop and inspire a team of junior scientists and research assistants. As a member of the Advanced Technology Team, you will be exposed to many different technologies in areas ranging from therapeutics and diagnostics to synthetic biology and materials science, with the goal of identifying new product solutions and the unique opportunity to follow your passion either at the Institute or as a future co-founder of a Wyss start-up. [66897BR]

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We are looking for a research assistant to join the Intestine and Immune Organs on Chip team in Dr. Don Ingber’s laboratory. We are using immune organs-on-chip to study vaccines, solid tumors, and Lyme Disease. We are using Intestine Organ on Chip to study and model the intestinal tract and microbiome and its influences on diseases, such as malnutrition- associated with environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and radiationinduced injury, as well as therapeutic responses. With our work, we hope to understand what makes a vaccine effective, create an implantable therapy for cancer, as well as incubate a startup that will design novel Lyme Disease therapeutics. Furthermore, the organ-chip model of intestinal injuries will help us to understand the molecular, genetic and nutritional bases of the disease and the testing of candidate therapeutics for it.

Reporting to the Principal Scientist leading the team, you will support these studies with the potential to become the go-to person for specific aspects of these research projects. You will learn cutting-edge human immunology and organ-on-chip techniques and may also be exposed to gene editing technology. The ideal candidate is comfortable learning and doing different types of tasks within the same week, has had diverse research experiences, and works well within a team [67136BR]

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Reporting to the Scientist II, you will support computational discovery efforts for an exciting new scientific program focused on elucidating how spaceflight affects human health and blood cell development using human Organ Chips. You will use existing technologies and develop new approaches in the areas of multi-omics analyses as well as statistical and machine learning models. In collaboration with computational and experimental teams within the Wyss and external partners, you will develop hypotheses, interpret data, and advance project goals related to understanding spaceflight-induced changes to human biology. As a member of the Advanced Technology Team (ATT), you will be exposed to many different technologies ranging from therapeutics and diagnostics to synthetic biology and materials science to identify ambitious solutions to problems of global importance and turn these solutions into new products. [67251BR]

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About the Wyss:

The mission of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University is to transform human healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. Developed as an alliance between Harvard and other premier academic and clinical partner institutions, Institute faculty and staff collaborate in high-risk, fundamental research and science-driven technology development. A major focus of the Institute is to translate the technologies developed by its faculty and staff into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators and establishment of corporate alliances. For more information, discover our technologies, catch up on our recent news, or watch our latest videos.

Role Description:

The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University seeks a talented Postdoctoral Fellow who is an engineer interested in biology research, or a biologist looking for engineering applications to join our Kidney team. Led by Jennifer Lewis and with technical guidance from the multidisciplinary bioprinting research team, you will work to complete independent and team research projects involving 3D bioprinting using stem-cell derived human kidney organoids. The work will focus on building from organ-on-chip platforms to more functional organ-level tissues. Projects in our lab typically span multiple disciplines, so we welcome applicants from many backgrounds. Successful applicants typically have some level of hands-on experience designing and fabricating devices or have strong background in relevant biological assays.

In This Role You Will:

• Complete independent and team research projects involving 3D bioprinting using stem-cell derived human kidney organoids
• Focus on building from organ-on-chip platforms to more functional organ-level tissues
• Participate in writing research proposals, reports, patent applications, presentations, and publications, providing critical data, figures or information for grant and patent submissions

What You’ll Need:

• Ph.D. in biology, microbiology, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a related discipline.
• Must demonstrate broad theoretical and practical knowledge within the fields of mechanical engineering, tissue engineering, or cell biology.
• Strong scientific track record demonstrating well-organized design and execution of studies.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative team environment.
• Strong work ethic, communication skills and team-player oriented personality.

Preferred:

We are looking for a candidate with strong expertise in a few of the following areas, and a willingness to learn new skills outside of your current discipline to accomplish project goals. It would be terrific if you have experience in all of them, but this is not necessary, we can teach you what you don’t know.

• Strong understanding of cell biology, physiology, and/or tissue engineering.
• Cell culture experience.
• Experience with in vitro analytical techniques to assess the cell viability of tissue constructs.
• Experience with microfluidics.
• Experience working with induced pluripotent stem cells.
• 3D printing experience.
• Experience with flow cytometry, ELISAs, PCR, or confocal microscopy.
• Experience with vascularizing tissue.
• Experience with animal implantation experiments.

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical, dental, & vision plans. All coverage begins as of your start date.
• Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year plus Harvard Holidays
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, classes at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
• Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness Options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services.

Where You Can Apply:

Please assemble your application as a single PDF file, this should contain a complete resume, cover letter describing research interests and goals, full list of publications, copies of up to three relevant scientific papers, as well as the names and contact information of three references (expected to provide letters of recommendation). Applications should be sent to Jennifer Lewis at jalewis@seas.harvard.edu and Scott Slimmer at slimmer@g.harvard.edu using the subject line “Lewis Lab Postdoctoral Fellow Application.”

Working Conditions

Harvard requires COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.

Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

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While the Wyss Institute does not currently have a formal internship program, we encourage you to reach out directly to the faculty members and/or Advanced Technology Team members whose work aligns with your research interests to inquire about the possibility of working with their group as an intern.

When emailing faculty members and/or Advanced Technology Team members, please make sure to include your CV and your research background.

You can find contact information for each of our team leads by visiting the Advanced Technology Team page.

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About the Wyss:

The mission of the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University is to transform human healthcare and the environment by emulating the way nature builds. Developed as an alliance between Harvard and other premier academic and clinical partner institutions, Institute faculty and staff collaborate in high-risk, fundamental research and science-driven technology development. A major focus of the Institute is to translate the technologies developed by its faculty and staff into commercial products and therapies through collaborations with clinical investigators and establishment of corporate alliances. For more information, discover our technologies, catch up on our recent news, or watch our latest videos.

Role Description:

The Shih Laboratory explores design principles for self-assembling molecular machines. We seek outstanding postdoctoral applicants with expertise in biomolecular engineering or science to work with Institute faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff to develop an approach that will develop DNA-nanostructured vehicles for therapeutic delivery of cargo to cytoplasmic and organellar destinations.

What you’ll need:

• Applicants are expected to hold a Ph.D.
• Excellent track record of research involving design and characterization of biomolecules.

Preferred:

• Proficiency with cell culture is a plus.
• The candidate should be open-minded, creative, energetic, and critical thinking.

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical/Dental/Vision: We offer a variety of excellent medical, dental, & vision plans. All coverage begins as of your start date.
• Time Off: 20 days of vacation per year
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program, classes at the Harvard Extension School and discounted options through participating Harvard grad schools.
• Transportation: Harvard offers a 50% discounted MBTA pass as well as additional options to assist employees in their daily commute.
• Wellness Options: Harvard offers programs and classes at little or no cost, including stress management, nutrition, meditation, and complimentary health services.

Where you Can Apply:

Applications, assembled as single pdf files, should contain a C.V., a cover letter describing research interests and goals, a full list of publications and copies of up to three relevant scientific papers and names and contact information for at least three writers of letters of recommendation who might be contacted as references. Applications should be sent to faculty_postdocs@wyss.harvard.edu using the subject line “DNA-Nanostructured Therapeutic.”

Working Conditions:

Harvard requires COVID vaccination for all Harvard community members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons. More information regarding the University’s COVID vaccination requirement, exemptions, and verification of vaccination status may be found at the University’s “COVID-19 Vaccine Information” webpage: http://www.harvard.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccine-information/.

Harvard University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness through actions, interactions, and communications with others.

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